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FIFA World Cup 2026 — US says it doesn’t object to Iran playing but people with IRGC ties not welcome  U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday ​Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in FIFA World Cup 2026 but he added ​the players will not be allowed to ⁠bring with them people with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).“Nothing from the U.S. has told them they can’t ‌come,” Rubio told reporters. President Donald Trump also said his administration “would not want to affect ‌the athletes” in comments he made at the ‌White ⁠House.The 2026 World Cup is set ⁠to begin on June 11 across the United States, Mexico and Canada.Paolo Zampolli, a Trump envoy who has no official connection with ​the World Cup, had ‌earlier suggested that Italy should replace Iran at the tournament.“The problem with Iran would be not their athletes. It would be some of the other ‌people they would want to bring with them, ​some of whom have ties to the IRGC. We may not be able to ⁠let them in but not the athletes themselves,” Rubio said.“They can’t bring a bunch of IRGC terrorists into ‌our country and pretend that they are journalists and athletic trainers,” Rubio added. Washington has designated the IRGC as a “foreign terrorist organisation.”Currently there is no suggestion Iran will withdraw or be banned from the tournament that Italy missed out on. After the start of ‌the Iran war, Iran requested that FIFA move the team’s ​three group matches from the U.S. to Mexico, which was rejected.The U.S. and Israel ⁠attacked Iran on February 28.Iran responded with its ⁠own strikes on Israel and Gulf states with U.S. bases. U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli ‌attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions. A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war ​began over two weeks ago.Published on Apr 24, 2026  #FIFA #World #Cup #doesnt #object #Iran #playing #people #IRGC #ties

FIFA World Cup 2026 — US says it doesn’t object to Iran playing but people with IRGC ties not welcome

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday ​Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in FIFA World Cup 2026 but he added ​the players will not be allowed to ⁠bring with them people with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“Nothing from the U.S. has told them they can’t ‌come,” Rubio told reporters. President Donald Trump also said his administration “would not want to affect ‌the athletes” in comments he made at the ‌White ⁠House.

The 2026 World Cup is set ⁠to begin on June 11 across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Paolo Zampolli, a Trump envoy who has no official connection with ​the World Cup, had ‌earlier suggested that Italy should replace Iran at the tournament.

“The problem with Iran would be not their athletes. It would be some of the other ‌people they would want to bring with them, ​some of whom have ties to the IRGC. We may not be able to ⁠let them in but not the athletes themselves,” Rubio said.

“They can’t bring a bunch of IRGC terrorists into ‌our country and pretend that they are journalists and athletic trainers,” Rubio added. Washington has designated the IRGC as a “foreign terrorist organisation.”

Currently there is no suggestion Iran will withdraw or be banned from the tournament that Italy missed out on. After the start of ‌the Iran war, Iran requested that FIFA move the team’s ​three group matches from the U.S. to Mexico, which was rejected.

The U.S. and Israel ⁠attacked Iran on February 28.

Iran responded with its ⁠own strikes on Israel and Gulf states with U.S. bases. U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli ‌attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions. A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war ​began over two weeks ago.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #doesnt #object #Iran #playing #people #IRGC #ties

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday ​Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in FIFA World Cup 2026 but he added ​the players will not be allowed to ⁠bring with them people with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“Nothing from the U.S. has told them they can’t ‌come,” Rubio told reporters. President Donald Trump also said his administration “would not want to affect ‌the athletes” in comments he made at the ‌White ⁠House.

The 2026 World Cup is set ⁠to begin on June 11 across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Paolo Zampolli, a Trump envoy who has no official connection with ​the World Cup, had ‌earlier suggested that Italy should replace Iran at the tournament.

“The problem with Iran would be not their athletes. It would be some of the other ‌people they would want to bring with them, ​some of whom have ties to the IRGC. We may not be able to ⁠let them in but not the athletes themselves,” Rubio said.

“They can’t bring a bunch of IRGC terrorists into ‌our country and pretend that they are journalists and athletic trainers,” Rubio added. Washington has designated the IRGC as a “foreign terrorist organisation.”

Currently there is no suggestion Iran will withdraw or be banned from the tournament that Italy missed out on. After the start of ‌the Iran war, Iran requested that FIFA move the team’s ​three group matches from the U.S. to Mexico, which was rejected.

The U.S. and Israel ⁠attacked Iran on February 28.

Iran responded with its ⁠own strikes on Israel and Gulf states with U.S. bases. U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli ‌attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions. A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war ​began over two weeks ago.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

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#FIFA #World #Cup #doesnt #object #Iran #playing #people #IRGC #ties

Deadspin | NBA roundup: Hawks get by Knicks again to take 2-1 series lead  Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) steps back on New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
   CJ McCollum scored 23 points and sank the game-winning basket with 12.7 seconds left, lifting Atlanta to a 109-108 win over the visiting New York Knicks on Thursday and giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.  The Hawks led 96-85 with 8:06 to go in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks roared back to tie the game at 105-105 on a 3-pointer by Miles McBride with 1:41 remaining. Jalen Brunson followed with a three-point play at the 1:03 mark, putting the Knicks on top.  A bucket by Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson cut the gap to 108-107, and Brunson shot an airball on the next possession, and the Hawks got the ball on a shot-clock violation with 16.4 seconds left. After a timeout, the Hawks got it to McCollum, who made the 16-foot fadeaway to reclaim the lead. The Hawks then made a defensive stop on Brunson, forcing a loose ball that was recovered by Jonathan Kuminga as time expired.  Johnson had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists while Kuminga came off the bench to score 21. New York got 29 points from OG Anunoby, 26 points from Brunson and 21 points and 17 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.  Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104  Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett each scored 33 points and Toronto defeated visiting Cleveland in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.  Reserve Jamison Battle scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to ignite a Toronto surge that reduced Cleveland’s series lead to 2-1. Barnes added 11 assists and five rebounds for the Raptors. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles had 22 points and eight rebounds, while Brandon Ingram scored 12 points.   James Harden scored 18 points for the Cavaliers, who made 22 turnovers in a careless performance. Donovan Mitchell was held to 15 points, and Max Strus and Evan Mobley also scored 15 each.   Timberwolves 113, Nuggets 96  Jaden McDaniels led a spirited defensive effort, reserve Ayo Dosunmu delivered a team-high 25 points and Minnesota held Denver to a season-low shooting percentage en route to a victory in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series in Minneapolis.  The Timberwolves hold a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven set that continues Saturday night in Minneapolis. McDaniels finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Anthony Edwards chipped in 17 points for the sixth-seeded Timberwolves.  Hounded much of the night by McDaniels, Jamal Murray shot just 5-for-17, missed all five of his 3-point attempts and totaled just 16 points for the Nuggets, who shot just 34.1% overall. Nikola Jokic was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points and leading rebounder with 15, but went just 7-for-26 from the field and missed eight of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Hawks #Knicks #series #leadApr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) steps back on New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

CJ McCollum scored 23 points and sank the game-winning basket with 12.7 seconds left, lifting Atlanta to a 109-108 win over the visiting New York Knicks on Thursday and giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

The Hawks led 96-85 with 8:06 to go in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks roared back to tie the game at 105-105 on a 3-pointer by Miles McBride with 1:41 remaining. Jalen Brunson followed with a three-point play at the 1:03 mark, putting the Knicks on top.

A bucket by Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson cut the gap to 108-107, and Brunson shot an airball on the next possession, and the Hawks got the ball on a shot-clock violation with 16.4 seconds left. After a timeout, the Hawks got it to McCollum, who made the 16-foot fadeaway to reclaim the lead. The Hawks then made a defensive stop on Brunson, forcing a loose ball that was recovered by Jonathan Kuminga as time expired.

Johnson had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists while Kuminga came off the bench to score 21. New York got 29 points from OG Anunoby, 26 points from Brunson and 21 points and 17 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.

Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104

Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett each scored 33 points and Toronto defeated visiting Cleveland in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.


Reserve Jamison Battle scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to ignite a Toronto surge that reduced Cleveland’s series lead to 2-1. Barnes added 11 assists and five rebounds for the Raptors. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles had 22 points and eight rebounds, while Brandon Ingram scored 12 points.

James Harden scored 18 points for the Cavaliers, who made 22 turnovers in a careless performance. Donovan Mitchell was held to 15 points, and Max Strus and Evan Mobley also scored 15 each.

Timberwolves 113, Nuggets 96

Jaden McDaniels led a spirited defensive effort, reserve Ayo Dosunmu delivered a team-high 25 points and Minnesota held Denver to a season-low shooting percentage en route to a victory in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series in Minneapolis.

The Timberwolves hold a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven set that continues Saturday night in Minneapolis. McDaniels finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Anthony Edwards chipped in 17 points for the sixth-seeded Timberwolves.

Hounded much of the night by McDaniels, Jamal Murray shot just 5-for-17, missed all five of his 3-point attempts and totaled just 16 points for the Nuggets, who shot just 34.1% overall. Nikola Jokic was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points and leading rebounder with 15, but went just 7-for-26 from the field and missed eight of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Hawks #Knicks #series #lead">Deadspin | NBA roundup: Hawks get by Knicks again to take 2-1 series lead  Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) steps back on New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
   CJ McCollum scored 23 points and sank the game-winning basket with 12.7 seconds left, lifting Atlanta to a 109-108 win over the visiting New York Knicks on Thursday and giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.  The Hawks led 96-85 with 8:06 to go in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks roared back to tie the game at 105-105 on a 3-pointer by Miles McBride with 1:41 remaining. Jalen Brunson followed with a three-point play at the 1:03 mark, putting the Knicks on top.  A bucket by Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson cut the gap to 108-107, and Brunson shot an airball on the next possession, and the Hawks got the ball on a shot-clock violation with 16.4 seconds left. After a timeout, the Hawks got it to McCollum, who made the 16-foot fadeaway to reclaim the lead. The Hawks then made a defensive stop on Brunson, forcing a loose ball that was recovered by Jonathan Kuminga as time expired.  Johnson had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists while Kuminga came off the bench to score 21. New York got 29 points from OG Anunoby, 26 points from Brunson and 21 points and 17 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.  Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104  Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett each scored 33 points and Toronto defeated visiting Cleveland in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.  Reserve Jamison Battle scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to ignite a Toronto surge that reduced Cleveland’s series lead to 2-1. Barnes added 11 assists and five rebounds for the Raptors. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles had 22 points and eight rebounds, while Brandon Ingram scored 12 points.   James Harden scored 18 points for the Cavaliers, who made 22 turnovers in a careless performance. Donovan Mitchell was held to 15 points, and Max Strus and Evan Mobley also scored 15 each.   Timberwolves 113, Nuggets 96  Jaden McDaniels led a spirited defensive effort, reserve Ayo Dosunmu delivered a team-high 25 points and Minnesota held Denver to a season-low shooting percentage en route to a victory in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series in Minneapolis.  The Timberwolves hold a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven set that continues Saturday night in Minneapolis. McDaniels finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Anthony Edwards chipped in 17 points for the sixth-seeded Timberwolves.  Hounded much of the night by McDaniels, Jamal Murray shot just 5-for-17, missed all five of his 3-point attempts and totaled just 16 points for the Nuggets, who shot just 34.1% overall. Nikola Jokic was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points and leading rebounder with 15, but went just 7-for-26 from the field and missed eight of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Hawks #Knicks #series #lead

Mitchell Santner clutching his shoulder after completing a stunning catch to dismiss Kartik Sharma in the 17th over of Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) innings was there for all to see.

But when news emerged that Shardul Thakur had replaced Mitchell Santner as a concussion substitute during Mumbai Indians’ (MI) chase, it raised more than a few eyebrows.

MI’s head coach Mahela Jayawardene was quick to clarify the sequence of events, stressing that the injury was not limited to the shoulder.

“I think he hit his head first, neck, obviously the shoulder as well. He went for a scan because once he got back he felt dizziness, so he was lying down. Yes, the icing was there for the shoulder, but he felt that he wasn’t stable,” Jayawardene said after his side was annihilated at home by CSK.

“So we took him for a scan in that situation, so we requested (a concussion sub). Obviously it’s at the match referee’s and umpire’s discretion, so they allowed Shardul.”

According to playing conditions, a concussion substitute is permitted only as a like-for-like replacement if a player suffers a head injury during the course of a match.

Santner, who also leads New Zealand in T20Is, had been seen on screen with an ice pack on his shoulder, prompting speculation. Jayawardene’s explanation, however, underlined that the primary concern was the head impact and subsequent dizziness.

Adding a touch of humour to the situation, Jayawardene quipped about the perceived like-for-like nature of the replacement.

“Mitch will be disappointed that his batting power is matched to Shardul Thakur, but it is what it is,” he said. “But hopefully it’s not too bad. Once he comes back, we will have a look at it.”

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#IPL #coach #Jayawardene #clarifies #concussion #substitution #Shardul #Santner">IPL 2026: MI coach Jayawardene clarifies concussion substitution of Shardul for Santner  Mitchell Santner clutching his shoulder after completing a stunning catch to dismiss Kartik Sharma in the 17th over of Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) innings was there for all to see.But when news emerged that Shardul Thakur had replaced Mitchell Santner as a concussion substitute during Mumbai Indians’ (MI) chase, it raised more than a few eyebrows.MI’s head coach Mahela Jayawardene was quick to clarify the sequence of events, stressing that the injury was not limited to the shoulder.“I think he hit his head first, neck, obviously the shoulder as well. He went for a scan because once he got back he felt dizziness, so he was lying down. Yes, the icing was there for the shoulder, but he felt that he wasn’t stable,” Jayawardene said after his side was annihilated at home by CSK.“So we took him for a scan in that situation, so we requested (a concussion sub). Obviously it’s at the match referee’s and umpire’s discretion, so they allowed Shardul.”According to playing conditions, a concussion substitute is permitted only as a like-for-like replacement if a player suffers a head injury during the course of a match.Santner, who also leads New Zealand in T20Is, had been seen on screen with an ice pack on his shoulder, prompting speculation. Jayawardene’s explanation, however, underlined that the primary concern was the head impact and subsequent dizziness.Adding a touch of humour to the situation, Jayawardene quipped about the perceived like-for-like nature of the replacement.“Mitch will be disappointed that his batting power is matched to Shardul Thakur, but it is what it is,” he said. “But hopefully it’s not too bad. Once he comes back, we will have a look at it.”Published on Apr 24, 2026  #IPL #coach #Jayawardene #clarifies #concussion #substitution #Shardul #Santner

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